2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geology & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Fort Hays State University tops our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools in the The Plains States Region. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,875. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $43,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $44,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Winona State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $36,984. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $34,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #6 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #7 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Carleton College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,371. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Macalester College placed #9 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. That is a strong return on a $22,147 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
